LEGAL LUMINARIES

100 Legal Luminaries of India ; Published by LexisNexis; Pages 465 ; Price Rs 4500/-                                                                                      *********************  

 This is a magnificent Coffee Table book on 100 legal luminaries of India. It highlights the men behind the black robes—their personal desires, hobbies, pastime and the road map of success that distinguished them from the rest.

       

Behind the laudable project is a team comprising members who have experience in the legal field, journalism, research, content development, photography. Of course the team is fortunate to have as their Mentor, Lalit Bhasin, who is the President of the “ Society of Indian Law Firms”.

The volume is divided into four parts—it recounts the journeys of struggle and success of eminent counsel, law firms, in-house counsels and teachers of Law.

In each life-sketch of the luminaries what is succinctly furnished are the influences of their families and their own experiences as a child, parent, friend-  their remarkable success—how they captured “ heights of glory”. What makes them stand out is the boundless energy and zest for life which they display through their interests, lifestyles and hobbies ranging from music and theatre to travelling and trekking.

The first Section on “ Eminent Senior Counsels “ has 51 luminaries. Obviously in a brief review we cannot cover all and we select a few.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, born with a silver spoon in his mouth believes in the motto—            “ Work hard, enjoy life and die with your boots on “. He holds the record for being the  youngest “ Senior” designated by the High Court at the age 34, the youngest Solicitor General at 37 and one of the youngest Vice-Presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association at 39.

Fali Nariman is a celebrated constitutional jurist and an authority on international arbitration. He is noted for his humility, humour and eloquence. His integrity is impeccable. He resigned from the post of Additional Solicitor General in protest against the infamous Emergency. His son Rohinton Nariman is a sitting Judge in the Supreme Court of India.

 Indira Jaising is a pioneer in fighting on issues for women. A set of variegated cases argued by her include “ Rupen Deol, Mary Roys and the Landmark case of Githa Hariharan”. She always wanted to be in a profession that lent her opportunities to make critical difference to people’s lives. A Hindustani classical enthusiast, she sings and practices with her Guru, Shamsher Sing. Jaising is the first woman to be elected to the  U N Committee on elimination of discrimination against women and the first woman to become India’s Additional Solicitor General.

The present Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Shri.Ravi Shankar Prasad is the son of a highly distinguished Patna advocate. He argued and won in the case of a muslim prisoner incarcerated for 49 years without trial. He won for the victim freedom and a good monetary compensation. Prasad  was jailed during the Emergency and he used the time to study Hindu philosophy, Marxism and the classics. His wife Maya and Ravi share interest in Hindustani classical and Carnatic music.

Soli Sorabjee has unfailingly fought to uphold constitutional law as well as freedom of speech and expression. This octogenarian remains a strident voice of caution against injustice speaking up for tolerance and human rights. He has held several high international judicial posts. Of his four children Zia is a lawyer and two grandchildren are prospective lawyers. Soli is not all law. He is a lover of poetry and a Jazz buff. He plays the clarinet gifted to him by Benny Goodman and he started the Jazz Yatra in 1978.

Under the leadership of Dr.Lalit Bhasin, a Society of Indian Law Firms was established and it advises on matters of corporate law, taxation, contracts and intellectual property laws. The book has a section dedicated to 40 law firms. Dr.Lalit Bhasin has been a legend in the Indian legal firmament. He has annexed several awards but declared,  “I am the only second Indian to be made President of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association” His vision is to make India a hub of arbitration and mediation for international commercial disputes. Other law firms include, inter alia  those headed by Akil Hirani, Anand Phatak, R.N.Jhunjhunwala, Zia Mody.

There are four In-House Counsel members and ten Legal Educators. These ten highly respected teachers were the Gurus of the eminent lawyers appearing in the earlier parts of the book. A great tribute to the great masters.

This is an outstanding contribution to the legal history of Free India, The rich and opulent photographs of the luminaries, their families ( and their dogs too !) can match the best of the classics of Yosuf Karsh of Ottawa.

The book throws a flood of light on the luminaries and is compulsory reading for all lawyers, students of law and of Indian history. LexisNexis has covered itself in glory with this resplendent tribute to the best and brightest of those men  in black robes.

P.P.Ramachandran.

26/07/2020.

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